Fraud Flyer

Promote the Greater Good

The Office of Inspector General is a sufficiently independent department, which helps the Inspector General to:

Conduct Investigations in an efficient, impartial, equitable and objective manner

Prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse in city activities including all city contracts and partnerships

Deter criminal activity through independence in fact and appearance, investigation and interdiction

Propose ways to increase the city’s legal, fiscal and ethical accountability to insure that tax payers’ dollars are spent in a manner consistent with the highest standards of local governments

Inspector General Duties

The Inspector General Shall Receive and Investigate Complaints Referred By

The Board of Ethics and Campaign Practices

Any official -- the Mayor and Councilors

Any employee, contractor or public citizen

The Inspector General may also initiate an investigation

However, the Office of Inspector General cannot:

Investigate complaints that are under the jurisdiction of the Civilian Police Oversight Agency or the Internal Affairs Division of the Albuquerque Police Department

The Inspector General shall not accept complaints related to discrimination or labor law matters, or other matters that are the subject of pending litigation

All city officials, employees and contractors shall promptly notify the Inspector General of every instance of theft or other disappearance of cash, check, or property, of misfeasance or nonfeasance, defalcation, improper governmental actions as defined in the Whistleblower Ordinance and noncompliance with federal and state law, city ordinances and city regulations of which they are aware.

Reports & Tips

Most Office of Inspector General investigations are initiated based on tips and referrals received.

Remember: The Office of Inspector General cannot put a stop to fraudulent activity and misconduct without knowledge of it occurring.

Stop fraud, waste, and abuse.

Occupational Fraud

Occupational fraud is "the use of one’s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse or misapplication of the employing organization’s resources or assets."

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) 2016 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse found that U.S. organizations lose 5% of the value of total operating revenues to fraud. Applied to the City of Albuquerque FY18 revenues of over $900 million, this figure is $45 million in fraud losses.

Despite increased focus on anti-fraud controls, occupational frauds are much more likely to be detected by a tip than by audits, controls or any other means. Over 50% of tips come from employees, which is why we are calling on you to report misconduct by employees, managers and public officials. Together, we can become a community that strives to do the right thing.

About Fraud

Occupational fraud schemes frequently continue for years before they are detected

Lack of internal controls is most commonly cited as the factor that allowed fraud to occur

Occupational fraudsters are generally first-time offenders

The most common cited behavioral red flags are perpetrators living beyond their means or experiencing financial difficulties at the time of the frauds

The Accountability in Government Ordinance requires all city officials, employees and contractors to promptly notify the Director of Internal Audit and Investigations of every instance of theft or other disappearance of cash, check, or property, of misfeasance or nonfeasance, defalcation, improper governmental actions as defined in the Whistleblower Ordinance and non-compliance with federal and state law, city ordinances and city regulations of which they are aware.

Needed Information

Have the following information before you contact us anonymously:

You are reporting fraud that involves a City of Albuquerque employee or a contractor or vendor doing business with the City of Albuquerque